Reindeer Rice Krispie Treats (Easy Christmas Recipe)

These festive Reindeer Rice Krispie Treats are an easy and adorable holiday snack! Made with marshmallows, pretzels, and candy eyes, they’re perfect for any Christmas party.

Okay, y’all—let’s get one thing straight: if there’s one treat that’s going to steal the show this holiday season, it’s these Reindeer Rice Krispie Treats! 

Picture it—crispy, gooey, marshmallowy squares transformed into the cutest little reindeer, complete with pretzel antlers, candy eyes, and mini red M&M noses. 

Honestly, they’re almost too cute to eat… almost. 

These festive bites of joy are guaranteed to have everyone at your Christmas party singing your praises like it’s karaoke night at the North Pole.

Whether you’re throwing the ultimate holiday bash or need something sweet and festive for the kiddos, these treats have your back.

They’re ridiculously easy to make—like “throw everything together in under 20 minutes” easy. Plus they don’t require any fancy ingredients or complicated steps. 

We’re keeping it classic with Rice Krispies, marshmallows, and butter. But of course, we’re giving them a holiday glow-up with reindeer-inspired decorations that’ll make everyone think you spent hours crafting these little cuties. Spoiler: you didn’t.

So, whether you’re playing Santa in the kitchen for your next Christmas party or just want to surprise your friends and family with the most adorable holiday snack ever, these Reindeer Rice Krispie Treats are here to sleigh the day. 

The best part? They’re so simple to make that even the littlest elves in your family can help. 

Because nothing says “holiday fun” like sticky fingers, giggles, and a kitchen that smells like marshmallow magic. Ready to get your reindeer on? Let’s do this!

If you love Christmas rice krispie treats you may also like my Santa Rice Krispie Treats or my Christmas Rice Krispies Treats.

WHY YOU’LL LOVE THESE ADORABLE REINDEER RICE KRISPIE TREATS

• Festive AF: These treats are basically holiday spirit in snack form. With their cute little antlers and red noses, they’re sure to be a hit at any Christmas party or family gathering. Plus, who doesn’t love a snack that looks as good as it tastes?
• Ridiculously Easy: This is a no-bake situation, people! You’ll be whipping these up in no time, leaving you more hours to wrap presents, sip hot cocoa, or binge-watch holiday movies.
• Kid-Approved: Whether you’re making these with the kiddos or just for the kiddos (okay, and for yourself), these reindeer treats are bound to bring smiles all around. Plus, it’s a fun kitchen project for those snowy afternoons when everyone’s stuck indoors.
• Totally Customizable: Feel like giving some of your reindeer different personalities? Use different candy colors for the noses, add little frosting scarves, or get creative with the decorations. The possibilities are endless!

SIMPLE INGREDIENTS YOU NEED FOR THE REINDEER RICE KRISPIES

You will need the following ingredients listed below to make this holiday classic treat (the exact measurements, nutritional information and full recipe are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post):

• Butter 
• Rice Krispie cereal 
• Pure vanilla extract 
• Regular-sized marshmallows – can also use mini marshmallows if preferred
• White chocolate chips – can use candy melts or almond bark instead
• Mini pretzels – can use chocolate-covered pretzels for chocolate antlers instead.
• Candy eyeballs
• Mini red m&m candies – for the red candy noses

HOW TO MAKE THE HOMEMADE RICE KRISPIE TREATS

1. In a large pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add in the marshmallows and stir until they’re melted and gooey. Remove from heat and add in vanilla extract for a little extra flavor kick, and keep stirring until everything is smooth.
2. Immediately stir in the Rice Krispie cereal. Mix it all up until the cereal is fully coated in marshmallow deliciousness.
3. Press the mixture down slightly into a greased 9×9 pan with a buttered spatula to create your base layer.
4. Allow the rice krispies to sit at room temperature until set (approx 20 minutes). Cut into 12 rectangular pieces.
5. Press two pretzel pieces into the top of each rectangle for the reindeer antlers. Add two candy eyes to each and stick a mini red M&M in the center for Rudolph’s iconic red nose. You can use a small amount of melted chocolate to help everything stick, or just press everything firmly into the crispy treats.
6. Once they’re ready, display them proudly on your holiday dessert table or wrap them up as adorable gifts. Either way, these reindeer are going to be the talk of the Christmas season!

STORING LEFTOVER CEREAL TREATS

To store your leftover Reindeer Rice Krispie Treats, place them in an airtight container and keep them at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want to extend their freshness, you can also refrigerate them for up to a week. 

Just be sure to separate the layers with parchment or wax paper to prevent sticking. Avoid freezing, as this can affect the crispy texture!

TIPS AND TRICKS FOR BEST RESULTS

• Grease Your Hands: When pressing the marshmallow-cereal mixture into the pan, lightly grease your hands with butter or cooking spray to keep things from getting too sticky. This will make shaping your reindeer so much easier!
• Pretzel Antler Hack: If you want to get fancy with the antlers, break your pretzels into different shapes to give each reindeer their own personality. Some reindeer have wild antlers, after all!
• Make Them Ahead: You can totally make these treats ahead of time. They’ll stay fresh in an airtight container for up to 3 days, making them perfect for party prep.
• Get Creative: Don’t be afraid to have fun with the decorations! Add chocolate drizzle, sprinkle on some edible glitter, or use different colored M&Ms for a reindeer squad with a little extra flair.

FAQS

CAN I USE PARCHMENT PAPER WHEN MAKING THIS MARSHMALLOW MIXTURE?

Yes! Lining your baking pan with parchment paper makes it super easy to lift the treats out and prevents sticking. Plus, it gives you a clean, even layer of Rice Krispies.

WHAT’S THE BEST WAY TO CUT THE REINDEER RICE KRISPIE TREATS INTO REINDEER FACES?

Once the treats are cool and firm, use a large sharp knife to cut them into rectangles or use a cookie cutter to shape them. If you’re going for cute little reindeers, the knife works great to shape reindeer faces!

HOW CAN I TURN THESE REINDEER RICE KRISPIE TREATS INTO RICE KRISPIE POPS?

Before the marshmallow mixture sets, insert a popsicle stick into each treat to make them easy to hold. They’re a perfect fun treat for kids and can be individually wrapped in cellophane bags as a great gift for the holidays.

CAN I MAKE THESE CHRISTMAS TREATS AHEAD OF TIME FOR HOLIDAY PARTIES OR CHRISTMAS EVE?

Absolutely! These treats are great for Christmas parties or a holiday cookie swap. Make them a day or two in advance, wrap them in plastic wrap, and they’ll be ready to go for all your Christmas celebrations.

Other Classic Treats And Christmas Cookies For You Next Holiday Party!

• No Bake Peanut Butter Balls (5 Ingredients)
• 30 Easy Christmas Cookie Recipes With Few Ingredients
• Christmas Chocolate Peppermint Truffles
• Heart Shaped Jam Thumbprint Cookies
• Gluten Free Dairy Free Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Sugar Free Sugar Cookies
• Brown Butter Rice Krispie Treats
• Gluten-Free Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
• Easy Peanut Butter Marshmallow Squares
• Christmas Trees Gluten-Free Brownies
• Gluten-Free Santa Hat Brownies
• Chocolate Covered Pretzel Wreaths
• Oreo Cookie Christmas Ornaments
• Chocolate Caramel Shortbread Bars
• Easy Christmas Sugar Cookie Fudge Recipe

IF YOU TRIED THESE NO BAKE REINDEER TREATS PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT AND STAR RATING. I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOUR CREATIONS! YOU CAN PIN THESE KRISPY TREATS ON PINTEREST OR SHARE ON INSTAGRAM BY TAGGING @basicswithbails and #basicswithbails